Aircraft Brake Thermal Shield With Rigid Inserts for Heat Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing aircraft wheel braking devices suffer from significant heat generation during braking, which degrades the efficiency and lifespan of hydraulic fluid due to insufficient thermal protection, particularly with increased aircraft load capacity and landings per overhaul (LPO).

Innovation Solution

A secondary thermal shield is introduced between the torque tube and the actuator support, comprising a thermally insulating plate with reinforced openings containing inserts made of a more rigid material to enhance mechanical stability and reduce deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a secondary thermal screen made of phenolic resin is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved and mass is reduced, but mechanical stability deteriorates due to quick deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining phenolic resin (for thermal insulation) with a more rigid material (for mechanical strength) to create a hybrid structure that achieves both thermal insulation performance and mechanical stability, resolving the contradiction between these two properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by placing rigid material inserts specifically at the openings of the phenolic resin plate, where deformation is most likely to occur, rather than making the entire plate rigid. This localized reinforcement maintains thermal insulation performance while improving mechanical stability at critical areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If aircraft load capacity is increased, then productivity is improved, but heat generation increases causing hydraulic fluid degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelandings per overhaulVSAvoidhydraulic fluid degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a secondary thermal screen as a mediating element between the heat-generating disc stack and the hydraulic fluid-containing ring. This thermal barrier intercepts and blocks heat transfer, protecting the hydraulic fluid from thermal degradation while allowing increased aircraft load capacity and landings per overhaul

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The secondary thermal shield effectively reduces heat exchange and deformation, protecting the hydraulic fluid by maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the braking device components.

Implementation Method 1

a thermal screen for a braking device of at least one aircraft wheel, the thermal screen being intended to be arranged between an actuator support and a torque tube of said braking device, the thermal screen comprising a plate made of a thermally insulating material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4402053B1Thermal shield and associated braking device
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SAFRAN LANDING SYSTEMS
  • EP4402053B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4402053B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4402053B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~2c

AI summary

A thermal screen for a braking device of at least one aircraft wheel, the thermal screen being intended to be arranged between a support for actuators and a torque tube of the braking device, the thermal screen comprising a plate (15) made of a thermally insulating material, the plate comprising a plurality of openings (18) extending in a traversing manner between two main faces of the plate, the thermal screen having at least one insert (20) arranged at least in part inside one of the openings, the insert being made of a material which is more rigid than that of the plate Associated braking device.